Orlando Pirates hustled their way into the Carling Knockout semifinals with a 2-1 win over defending champions Magesi in their quarter-final clash played at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday night.
It was a dogged display from the hosts, who ended the Limpopo outfit’s reign as champions while taking another key step towards another piece of silverware.
With a spot among the last four at stake, the Buccaneers had to overcome early jitters after spending the best part of the opening five minutes inside their half. They eventually kicked into gear, firing a succession of shots towards the Magesi goal.
The first of these was a well-struck effort from Yanela Mbuthuma who was denied by Elvis Chipezeze after benefitting from some neat interplay between Tshepang Moremi and Nkosikhona Ndaba on the left flank. Ndaba then had an attempt of his own in the eighth minute, firing off target before connecting with Mbuthuma once more with the centre-forward drawing an easy save from the visiting shot-stopper.
Pressure remained with the visitors as the Soweto Giants continued to probe. However, Chipezeze stood between them and the opener as he kept out shots from Masindi Nemtajela, Patrick Maswanganyi and Mbuthuma, while a chance against the run of play at the other end was spurned by Magesi midfielder Kgomotso Mosadi.
The closest call in what was a frustrating first half came via the boot of Mbuthuma, whose excellent movement inside the box continued to produce chances. Despite his well-timed run, he could only rattle the crossbar from just in front of goal. Magesi immediately launched a counter, stretching the Bucs defence before Mosadi hooked his effort wide.
Mbuthuma’s fierce battle with Chipezeze meanwhile continued at the other end, where the shot-stopper pulled off another stop to keep the game scoreless as the break approached.
The visitors were the first to find an opportunity at the start of the second half, going inches close through Lehlogonolo Mokone who was allowed to turn inside the box before striking the crossbar. The woodwork also had a say at the other end moments later, this time denying Oswin Appollis who released a fiery shot from a long way out.
The persistence paid off eventually, with the opener coming through a moment of magic from Moremi. The winger took one touch on the edge of the box where he gathered a cutback from Ndaba before curling the ball away from the outstretched Chipezeze for the opener in the 51st minute.
The goal frame was again in the thick of the action as the visitors sought a quick reply, with forward Abbey Sesane knocking his effort from a tight angle onto the crossbar.
Despite conceding a few nervous moments, Pirates maintained their dominance throughout the second period. They had a late charge through Maswanganyi, who forced his way into space before drawing a save from Chipezeze.
The Zimbabwean international had no answer for the Buccaneers’ next chance, which was expertly finished off by Evidence Makgopa who made no mistake in making it 2-0 inside the box.
While it looked as if the hosts would finish with a two-goal margin, Dikwena tśa Meetse looked to throw a spanner in the works deep in injury time as they pulled one back through Mokone.
Time turned out to be on the Buccaneers’ side as they had no issues clinging onto their lead in the dying seconds, booking their spot in the League Cup semis for the first time since 2018.
Pirates XI: Chaine, Seema, Mbokazi, Lebitso, Ndaba (Hotto 78’), Nemtajela, Dansin (Mbule 78’), Maswanganyi, Appollis (Dlamini 78’), Moremi (Sebelebele 90’), Mbuthuma (Makgopa 68’).
SOURCED FROM THE CLUB’S WEBSITE.
